Ms. Brandt: Guilt is basically something built into society to keep you in line. If you are going about your business in a discreet way and you are continuing to take care of your wife and, most importantly, your children, there is no reason to feel guilt.

"’Miss Manners’ of Adultery,"

1. Guilt will keep you from heaven.

The Bible is full of verses that tell us that one day we’ll all stand before God and give an account for how we’ve lived.

Romans 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body... whether it be good or bad.”

Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”

Now compare those Scriptures with this one:

James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

That’s serious! We think of murder as really bad. But did you know that Jesus said if you cut people down with your words, that’s just as serious as killing?

I’m preaching a series later this year on the 10 commandments. Is there any of us that has perfectly kept the 10 commandments? Let’s see: “You shall have no other gods before me.” Uh-oh. Have I always put God first, or have other things taken His place? I’m in trouble already!

Have you ever lied, stolen, coveted something that was another’s? Have you ever used the name of God in a careless way?

If you’re like me, you know that you’ve done wrong. And no matter how small it seemed, the Bible says you might as well be guilty of all. Because of what the Bible says, you know you’ll answer to God for it! Wow.

If that thought scares you, it should. It does me! What you need is not a better system to hide your guilt – what you need is a way to be forgiven. What you need is a way to be at peace.

2. Guilt will keep you from being at peace.

Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked run when no one is chasing them: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Nicky Gumbel tells us of a man who sent a check to the government for back taxes with a note attached that said:

“I felt so guilty for cheating on my taxes I had to send you this check. If I don’t feel any better, I’ll send you the rest.”